Nature Sightings

Scroll down to see wildlife images and videos that have been sent to us by SVT members and friends. To receive a weekly summary of the latest images, subscribe to our Nature Sightings e-newsletter at right.

  • To filter by Species, use the menu at left.
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To submit your photos or videos to Nature Sightings, contact Dan Stimson at [email protected]. 

Please note: We often include Nature Sightings images in e-mail and printed newsletters as well as elsewhere on our website, and we may share them with local news publications (we always include a photo credit line). By submitting your photos, you are giving us permission to use them in this way. 

Latest Sightings:

Yellow Salsify at SVT's Cedar Hill

June 8, 2021

A yellow salsify flower at SVT's Cedar Hill in Northborough, photographed by Laura Mattei.
A yellow salsify flower at SVT's Cedar Hill in Northborough, photographed by Laura Mattei.

Laura Mattei photographed this yellow salsify at SVT's Cedar Hill in Northborough.

Nature at Breakneck Hill in Southborough

June 7, 2021

A ruby-throated hummingbird at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A ruby-throated hummingbird at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A Baltimore oriole at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A Baltimore oriole at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A blue jay at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A blue jay at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A cedar waxwing at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A cedar waxwing at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
An olive-sided flycatcher at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
An olive-sided flycatcher at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A cedar waxwing at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A cedar waxwing at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A European starling at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A European starling at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A tree swallow feeding its young at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A tree swallow feeding its young at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A tree swallow feeding its young at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A tree swallow feeding its young at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A cedar waxwing at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A cedar waxwing at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A dark paper wasp at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A dark paper wasp at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A house sparrow feeding chicks at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A house sparrow feeding chicks at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A house sparrow feeding chicks at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A house sparrow feeding chicks at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A silvery blue at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A silvery blue at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A fly at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A fly at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A house sparrow feeding chicks at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A house sparrow feeding chicks at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A house sparrow feeding chicks at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A house sparrow feeding chicks at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A house sparrow feeding chicks at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A house sparrow feeding chicks at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A northern rough-winged swallow at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A northern rough-winged swallow at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A skipper at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A skipper at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A song sparrow at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A song sparrow at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.

Steve Forman photographed a ruby-throated hummingbird, a Baltimore oriole, a blue jay, a cedar waxwing, an olive-sided flycatcher, a European starling, a tree swallow feeding its young, a dark paper wasp, a house sparrow feeding chicks in a cavity nest, a silvery blue butterfly, a fly, a northern rough-winged swallow, a skipper (possibly a Peck's skipper), and a song sparrow at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southborough.

Chipmunk in Northborough

June 5, 2021

An eastern chipmunk in Northborough, photographed by Sandy Howard.
An eastern chipmunk in Northborough, photographed by Sandy Howard.

Sandy Howard photographed this eastern chipmunk in Northborough.

Nature at Hager Pond in Marlborough

June 5, 2021

A mallard duckling at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A mallard duckling at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A mallard duckling at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A mallard duckling at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A dragonfly at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A dragonfly at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A killdeer at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A killdeer at Hager Pond in Marlborough, photographed by Steve Forman.

Steve Forman photographed mallard ducklings, a dragonfly, and a killdeer at Hager Pond in Marlborough.

Nature in Hopkinton

June 5, 2021

A bee on a daisy at Waseeka Wildlife Sanctuary in Hopkinton, photographed by Steve Forman.
A bee on a daisy at Waseeka Wildlife Sanctuary in Hopkinton, photographed by Steve Forman.
An eastern yellowjacket at Waseeka Wildlife Sanctuary in Hopkinton, photographed by Steve Forman.
An eastern yellowjacket at Waseeka Wildlife Sanctuary in Hopkinton, photographed by Steve Forman.
A turkey vulture at Waseeka Wildlife Sanctuary in Hopkinton, photographed by Steve Forman.
A turkey vulture at Waseeka Wildlife Sanctuary in Hopkinton, photographed by Steve Forman.

Steve Forman photographed a bee on a daisy, an eastern yellowjacket, and a turkey vulture at Mass Audubon's Waseeka Wildlife Sanctuary in Hopkinton.

White-tailed Deer in Marlborough

June 5, 2021

White-tailed deer at Ghiloni Nature Trail in Marlborough, photographed by David Searl.
White-tailed deer at Ghiloni Nature Trail in Marlborough, photographed by David Searl.
White-tailed deer at Ghiloni Nature Trail in Marlborough, photographed by David Searl.
White-tailed deer at Ghiloni Nature Trail in Marlborough, photographed by David Searl.

David Searl photographed a fawn and a doe at Ghiloni Nature Trail in Marlborough.

Snapping Turtle in Stow

June 3, 2021

A snapping turtle in Stow, photographed by Steve Cumming.
A snapping turtle in Stow, photographed by Steve Cumming.

Steve Cumming photographed this snapping turtle in Stow.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak in Northborough

June 2, 2021

A rose-breasted grosbeak in Northborough, photographed by Marnie Frankian.
A rose-breasted grosbeak in Northborough, photographed by Marnie Frankian.

Marnie Frankian photographed a rose-breasted grosbeak in Northborough.

Carrion Beetles in Southborough

June 1, 2021

American carrion beetles at SVT's Willman Wetlands in Southborough, photographed by Debbie Costine.
American carrion beetles at SVT's Willman Wetlands in Southborough, photographed by Debbie Costine.

Debbie Costine photographed American carrion beetles at SVT's Willman Wetlands in Southborough.

Clover Mites in Northborough

June 1, 2021

Clover mites in Northborough, photographed by Marnie Frankian.
Clover mites in Northborough, photographed by Marnie Frankian.

Marnie Frankian photographed clover mites in Northborough.

Nature at Grist Mill Pond in Sudbury

June 1, 2021

Canada geese at Grist Mill Pond in Sudbury, photographed by Steve Forman.
Canada geese at Grist Mill Pond in Sudbury, photographed by Steve Forman.
Canada geese at Grist Mill Pond in Sudbury, photographed by Steve Forman.
Canada geese at Grist Mill Pond in Sudbury, photographed by Steve Forman.
A Canada goose gosling at Grist Mill Pond in Sudbury, photographed by Steve Forman.
A Canada goose gosling at Grist Mill Pond in Sudbury, photographed by Steve Forman.
An eastern forktail damselfly at Grist Mill Pond in Sudbury, photographed by Steve Forman.
An eastern forktail damselfly at Grist Mill Pond in Sudbury, photographed by Steve Forman.
A lancet clubtail dragonfly at Grist Mill Pond in Sudbury, photographed by Steve Forman.
A lancet clubtail dragonfly at Grist Mill Pond in Sudbury, photographed by Steve Forman.

Steve Forman photographed a family of Canada geese, an eastern forktail damselfly, and a lancet clubtail dragonfly at Grist Mill Pond in Sudbury.

Bald Eagles in Southborough

May 31, 2021

A bald eagle at the Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A bald eagle at the Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A bald eagle at the Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A bald eagle at the Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A bald eagle at the Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A bald eagle at the Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A bald eagle at the Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.
A bald eagle at the Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough, photographed by Steve Forman.

Steve Forman photographed a bald eagle at a nest over the Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough.

House Wren in Harvard

May 31, 2021

A house wren in Harvard, photographed by Robin Right.
A house wren in Harvard, photographed by Robin Right.

Robin Right photographed this house wren in Harvard.

Nighthawks in Lincoln

May 31, 2021

A common nighthawk over Farrar Pond in Lincoln, photographed by Ron McAdow.
A common nighthawk over Farrar Pond in Lincoln, photographed by Ron McAdow.
A common nighthawk over Farrar Pond in Lincoln, photographed by Ron McAdow.
A common nighthawk over Farrar Pond in Lincoln, photographed by Ron McAdow.
A common nighthawk over Farrar Pond in Lincoln, photographed by Ron McAdow.
A common nighthawk over Farrar Pond in Lincoln, photographed by Ron McAdow.

Ron McAdow photographed these common nighthawks over Farrar Pond in Lincoln.

Great Blue Herons in Lincoln

May 30, 2021

A great blue heron at a nest in Lincoln, photographed by Rachel Stein.
A great blue heron at a nest in Lincoln, photographed by Rachel Stein.
Great blue herons at a nest in Lincoln, photographed by Rachel Stein.
Great blue herons at a nest in Lincoln, photographed by Rachel Stein.

Rachel Stein photographed great blue herons at their nest in Lincoln.

American Robin Fledgling in Marlborough

May 27, 2021

An American robin fledgling in Marlborough, photographed by Karin Paquin.
An American robin fledgling in Marlborough, photographed by Karin Paquin.
An American robin nest in Marlborough, photographed by Karin Paquin.
An American robin nest in Marlborough, photographed by Karin Paquin.

Karin Paquin photographed a fledgling American robin and its empty nest in Marlborough. Karin had shared previous images of the eggs and nestlings, found here.

Nature at SVT's Memorial Forest

May 27, 2021

A chipping sparrow at SVT's Memorial Forest in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
A chipping sparrow at SVT's Memorial Forest in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
An eastern towhee at SVT's Memorial Forest in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
An eastern towhee at SVT's Memorial Forest in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
An eastern wood-pewee at SVT's Memorial Forest in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
An eastern wood-pewee at SVT's Memorial Forest in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
A pink lady's slipper at SVT's Memorial Forest in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.
A pink lady's slipper at SVT's Memorial Forest in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.

Craig Smith photographed beavers, a chipping sparrow, an eastern towhee, an eastern wood-pewee, and pink lady's slippers at SVT's General Federation of Women's Clubs of Massachusetts Memorial Forest in Sudbury.

Killdeer Nest in Stow

May 26, 2021

A killdeer nest in Stow, photographed by Steve Cumming.
A killdeer nest in Stow, photographed by Steve Cumming.

Steve Cumming found and photographed this killdeer ground nest while preparing a pumpkin field in Stow. Steve marked the area with a stake to protect it while working.

Backyard Birds in Framingham

May 25, 2021

A brown-headed cowbird in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A brown-headed cowbird in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A gray catbird in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A gray catbird in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A house finch in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A house finch in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A tufted titmouse in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.
A tufted titmouse in Framingham, photographed by Steve Forman.

Steve Forman photographed a brown-headed cowbird, a gray catbird, a house finch, and a tufted titmouse in Framingham.

Mallards and a Red Fox in Sudbury

May 25, 2021

Mallards in Sudbury, photographed by Sharon Tentarelli.
Mallards in Sudbury, photographed by Sharon Tentarelli.
A red fox in Sudbury, photographed by Sharon Tentarelli.
A red fox in Sudbury, photographed by Sharon Tentarelli.

Sharon Tentarelli photographed mallards and a red fox in Sudbury.

Pileated Woodpecker in Marlborough

May 25, 2021

Andrea Rex recorded this video of a pileated woodpecker at Callahan State Park in Marlborough.

American Robin Nest in Marlborough

May 24, 2021

American robin eggs in a nest in Marlborough, photographed May 9th, 2021 by Karin Paquin.
American robin eggs in a nest in Marlborough, photographed May 9th, 2021 by Karin Paquin.
American robin nestlings in a nest in Marlborough, photographed May 20th, 2021 by Karin Paquin.
American robin nestlings in a nest in Marlborough, photographed May 20th, 2021 by Karin Paquin.
American robin nestlings in a nest in Marlborough, photographed May 24th, 2021 by Karin Paquin.
American robin nestlings in a nest in Marlborough, photographed May 24th, 2021 by Karin Paquin.

Karin Paquin photographed an American robin nest located just outside her door in Marlborough between May 9th and May 24th.

Birds at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard

May 24, 2021

An American robin at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard, photographed by Craig Smith.
An American robin at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard, photographed by Craig Smith.
A great blue heron at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard, photographed by Craig Smith.
A great blue heron at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard, photographed by Craig Smith.
An osprey at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard, photographed by Craig Smith.
An osprey at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard, photographed by Craig Smith.
A red-winged blackbird at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard, photographed by Craig Smith.
A red-winged blackbird at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard, photographed by Craig Smith.
A red-winged blackbird at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard, photographed by Craig Smith.
A red-winged blackbird at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard, photographed by Craig Smith.

Craig Smith photographed an American robin, a great blue heron, an osprey, and a pair of red-winged blackbirds at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Maynard.

Birds in Bolton

May 24, 2021

An eastern kingbird at Bolton Wildlife Management Area, photographed by Steve Forman.
An eastern kingbird at Bolton Wildlife Management Area, photographed by Steve Forman.
A great blue heron at Bolton Wildlife Management Area, photographed by Steve Forman.
A great blue heron at Bolton Wildlife Management Area, photographed by Steve Forman.
A great blue heron at Bolton Wildlife Management Area, photographed by Steve Forman.
A great blue heron at Bolton Wildlife Management Area, photographed by Steve Forman.
An osprey at Bolton Wildlife Management Area, photographed by Steve Forman.
An osprey at Bolton Wildlife Management Area, photographed by Steve Forman.

Steve Forman photographed an eastern kingbird, great blue herons, and an osprey at Bolton Wildlife Management Area.